Page 42 of The Assassin's Dancer
“Of course, my friend.” His hands fly to the book in front of him, shuffling through the worn pages. “You’ll find a list of all our current members here.”
Perfect.
I can hardly contain my excitement as he slides a sheet of parchment towards me.
“Thank you.” My heart races until my eyes scan the information – or thelackof information. “Only names?” I question innocently. “No addresses?”
“I was told it would be unwise to keep all the information together.” Mr Bailey laughs. “We wouldn’t want it to fall into the wrong hands now, would we?”
“Indeed,” Rossi adds, his dark gaze burning my skin.
I shrug. “Of course.” I keep my attention pinned on Mr Bailey. “It relieves me to hear you’re taking your members’ privacy seriously. I trust the rest of the information is locked away somewhere secure?” My eyebrow lifts.Go on, take the bait.
“Oh yes!”
I grin.
“Kept safe with Mr Andrick at his whorehouse,” Mr Bailey explains proudly. “He keeps it in his office. And no one can get in there without getting through him.”
“Good to know.” I nod, making a mental note to organise a trip.
It’s frustrating when criminals are cautious, but at least I know where to look next. No one is getting out of this one without consequences.
“Well that answers all of my questions,” I say, just as the door swings open.
Right on schedule.
“Drinks, anyone?” a dark-haired bartender waltzes into the room, her tray loaded with overflowing tankards.
I shoot Meera a wink. “Perfect timing.” Raising my voice, I announce to the table, “Gentlemen, this round’s on me. Let us toast to our union!”
For the first time tonight, my words are met with cheers instead of suspicious glances. Even Rossi gives me an appreciative nod.
Keeping my arms wrapped around Ruby, I watch Meera as she hands out the drinks, giggling and flirting as she goes.
I can’t help but laugh with her. By the time she makes it to me, I can see she’s already claimed at least four of the men’s coin-pouches.
“Last but not least,” she chuckles, placing my tankard in front of me. Her mask slips a little as she spies my fingers stroking Ruby’s back. Warning flashes over her features.
“Different worlds,” she’d reminded me before we all left the guildhouse. And she’s right. Of course she is. Ruby’s a delicate princess while I… Ikillfor a living. Every minute I have her in my arms, she may as well be dancing with the villain. And ifsome fairytale prince doesn’t charge in and save her soon, I’ll rip her straight from her storybook’s pages.
“She’s just tired,” I mutter under my breath. “Is it so wrong to help the lady sleep?”
Meera scowls. “No good will come of this.” But she’s gone before I can reply, leaving in a flurry of fake smiles, just as she came.
“I must admit, Kasimir,” Mr Bailey says, returning my focus to the table. “You’ve certainly changed. I was a little alarmed when you inquired about the guild, especially giving your… history.”
Not illogical. Especially considering I kill pricks like him.
“But it seems I was wrong.” He laughs from his belly. “We are one and the same, my friend.”
Heart pounding, I return his smile. Ruby must be sensing the adrenaline pulsing through me as she stirs in my hold.
“Just a few more minutes, sweetheart,” I whisper. Keeping my attention on the group, I rub her back until her breathing slows again.
With a grin, Mr Bailey raises his tankard as the rest of the men join him.
“To the guild!” he cheers.
